Adherence to a Lifestyle Exercise and Nutrition Intervention in University Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Guillermo García Pérez de Sevilla, Olga Barceló Guido, María de la Paz De la Cruz, Ascensión Blanco Fernández, Lidia B Alejo, María Montero Martínez, Margarita Pérez-Ruiz
Author Information
Guillermo García Pérez de Sevilla: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Olga Barceló Guido: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain.
María de la Paz De la Cruz: Medical Service, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain.
Ascensión Blanco Fernández: Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain.
Lidia B Alejo: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
María Montero Martínez: Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain.
Margarita Pérez-Ruiz: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain. ORCID
Healthy lifestyles should be encouraged in the workplace through the occupational health teams of the companies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adherence to a lifestyle intervention carried out in university employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health-related quality of life (HrQoL). A randomized controlled trial following the CONSORT guidelines was performed, consisting of three supervised interventions lasting for 18 weeks: an educational intervention on healthy habits, a nutritional intervention, and a telematic aerobic and strength exercise intervention. Lifestyle and HrQoL were analyzed six months post-intervention to assess adherence. Twenty-three middle-aged participants completed the study. The intervention group significantly improved their lifestyle according to the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II questionnaire, especially in the categories of Health Responsibility, Physical Activity, and Nutrition, with a large effect size. Sitting time was reduced by 2.5 h per day, with a moderate effect size. Regarding HrQoL, the intervention group showed a clinically significant improvement in the Physical Component Summary. Despite the lockdown and the mobility restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this intervention performed on university employees achieved adherence to a healthier lifestyle and improved their HrQoL, which is of great clinical relevance.
